Philip Rivers’ target-hog, Keenan Allen, has once again been bitten by the injury bug. This time, it came during practice when he suffered an ankle injury, which has in result knocked him out for the remainder of the preseason. The Chargers expect him to be good for Week 1. However, the prolonged absence from camp could mean it’s more than just a little sprain that he’s dealing with. If it’s a high ankle sprain, then there would be a higher possibility of it acting up during the season. Either way, this would be Allen’s ninth documented injury since entering the league, which is why fantasy owners will always hesitate before clicking the “draft” button.

Allen’s talent has never been the issue. He’s a top-three route runner in the league and is one of the most consistent target hogs in a very explosive offense. Over the last two seasons he’s averaged 100 receptions and 1,295 yards on an absurd 148 targets.

Still, his Risk Score can only take a hit now as he adds another injury to his record — which is always his biggest question mark. Allen remains The Wolf’s WR9, but this injury only highlights the high risk that comes with drafting the oft-injured wideout.

Bottom Line: Pass-catching specialist, who? Christian McCaffrey returned to his college workhorse roots under new OC Norv Turner, and quickly put up Fantasy MVP-worthy numbers. He continued to flash his otherworldly receiving abilities, hauling in an NFL record 106 catches for 875 yards and 6 TDs. Yet where the usage really rose was the carries, as McCaffrey nearly doubled his 2017 total for 215 carries, 1080 yards, and 7 scores. These 321 total touches ranked third behind only Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley, and this newfound volume created the ultimate ceiling / floor combination. In the process, McCaffrey flashed both the elusiveness, breakaway ability, and most shockingly underrated power to redefine the workhorse model.

​New OC Norv Turner deserves immense credit for this outburst. His previous work with LaDanian Tomlinson proved he wasn't afraid to ride a smaller-back, as he's able to scheme his guys in space and in creative outside gaps versus just blasting them up the gut... but even still, never before had an NFL back played nearly 97% of the team's snaps. Yes, this number inevitably will fall in 2019, but McCaffrey should still hover around 85-90%, especially with Turner returning. Expect a similar buffet of weekly volume with the upside for even more efficiency should the Panthers beef up their line while their explosive young wideouts take a next step forward.

Ceiling Projection: 320 touches (100 rec.), 2,000 Tot. Yds, 13 TDs

Floor Projection*: 270 touches (70 rec.), 1600 Tot. Yds, 7 TDs

Actual Projection: 310 touches (90 rec), 1900 Tot. Yds, 12 TDs

*Note - Floors are done without injuries in mind. Of course the lowest floor is torn ACL first play of scrimmage. This assumes 16 games